Retrieval failure theory & TOT Flashcards
Define: retrieval failure theory (cue-dependent forgetting)
forgetting occurs because we lack or fail to use the right cues to access information stored in LTM.
In terms of availability and accessibility, the memory is
Still available but not accessible.
Who and when proposed the retrieval failure theory?
Endel Tulving 1973
Define: retrieval cue
any stimulus that prompts a piece of information stored in memory to be located and recovered.
What does the usefulness of a cue depend on? *
Its encoding specificity
Define: encoding specificity *
the associations formed at the time of encoding new memories will be the most effective retrieval cues.
According to Tulving, what are the best retrieval cues? *
Ones that are most similar to the original encoding of the information (eg. phonemically encoded, retrieval cue should be phonemic); and that require conscious effort to make (associations, mnemonics, associations)
Important example of the retrieval failure theory?
Tip of the tongue phenomenon
DefineL tip of the tongue phenomenon
Refers to knowing that your memory does have the material you’re trying to remember but you cannot retrieve it at that moment.
During TOT, can we recall all features of the infomration trying to be remembered?
NO - we can recall certain features but not the information tyring to be remembered itself.
Why does TOT involve a partial retrieval process?
Features of information that are remembered are retrieval cues for the actual information itself.
How does TOT demonstrate that retrieval is not an all or nothing process?
We can remember certain features of information but not all of it.
How does TOT demonstrate that information in LTm is organised and collected logically?
Features relating to the information which are logically connected to it are retrieved (ie. partial retrieval process) even in the actual information is not retrieved.
How does TOT demonstrate that memory is stored in a variety of locations in the brain?
A specific memory might involve multiple locations in the brain, and all locations but me activated for the memory to be retireved: retrieval failure occurs because not all areas have been activated.
1 limitations of the retrieval faiilure theory?
- Doesn’t explain why there is a failure to retrieve some memories but not others
